Paper-folding machine



LSZKLEHZ G. A. SHAFFER ET AL PAPER FOLDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed June 19, 1922 2 M INVENTOR. G/ezm A,61aifer flank/m I? 4ATTORNEYS.

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G. A. SHAFFER ET AL PAPER FOLDING MACHINE Filed June 19, 12 6Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Dec. 23, 1924.

G. A. SHAFFER ET AL PAPER FOLDING MACHINE Filed June 19, 1922 6Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR.

G. A. SHAFFER ET AL PAPER FOLDING MACHINE Filed June 19,

1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR. Glenn flS/ia ffel' Mlll l 1 ll 1 Dec.3, 1924. LSZQBHZ e. A. SHAFFER ET m.

PAPER FOLDING MACHINE Filed June 19, 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 NVENTOR.

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G. A. SHAFFER ET AL PAPER FOLDING MACHINE Filed June 19, 1922 6Sheets-Sheet 6 IN VEN TOR. 6 /2/20 1? 5/; fer

0 F/Wwz 1 ATTM .ll atented Dec. 23, 1924,

UNETED STATES I mean Parent entice.

GLENN A. SHAEFER AND FRANKLIN H. WIRTZ, 0F GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN.

PAPER-FOLDING MACHINE.

Application filed June 19, 1922. Serial No. 569,489.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, GLENN A. SHArrnR, a subject of the King of England,and FRANKLIN I-I. VVIRTZ, a citizen of the United States, residing atGreen Bay, in the county of Brown and State of lVisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Paper-Folding Machines, ofwhich, the following is a specification.

The invention relates to a machine for folding paper napkins, and moreparticularly to the class of machines for folding paper used in hotelsand restaurants for table use.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a machine ofthis character, wherein strips of paper are fed into the same andautomatically folded and cut to form paper napkins, the latter beingdelivered into containers or receivers in a novel manner.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a machine of thischaracter, wherein the folding and cutting operations thereof are novel,so that said machine performs in an efficient manner.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a machine of thischaracter, wherein the folded napkins are packed in the receiver orcontainer through the medium of novel mechanism, which operatessimultaneously with the other parts of the machine.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a machine ofthis character, which is comparatively simple in construction,thoroughly reliable and eflicient in operation, strong, durable,automatic in performance and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part hereinafterpointed-out.

The improvements in details and arrangements of the parts will beapparent from an inspection of the accompanying drawings, in connectionwith the specific description hereinafter contained, and wherein thepreferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed for the purpose ofimparting a full understanding of the same.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1, is a front elevation of the machine constructed in accordancewith the invention.

Figure 2, is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 3, is an enlarged sectional elevation taken transversely throughfolding and cutting rolls in their assembled relation to each other.

Figure 4:, is a view taken on the line H of Figure 3.

Figure 5, is a detail elevation showing the plungers and operatingmechanism therefor to deliver the folded napkins into the rece;ver orcontainer.

Figure 6, is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7, is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view through thereceiver or container.

Figure 8', shows one of the positions of the folding and cuttingmechanism and the strip of paper.

Figure 9, shows another position of the folding and cutting mechanismand the strip of paper.

Figure 10, shows a further position of the folding and cutting mechanismand the strip of paper.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views in the drawings.

Referring to the drawings in detail, A, designates generally a mainframe structure of the desired type for the machine, having spaced apartside sections 10, which are connected at their upper ends by transversetie rods 11, while bolted or otherwise fastened to said side sections attheir lower portions is a vacuum box or tank 12, the same being locatedbetween the side sections of the main frame.

Secured to the rear edges of the side sections 10, of the frame A, arethe uprights 13, of a stand B, for removably supporting paper rolls 14and 15, the same being superposed relative to each other, and each iscarried upon a cross arbor 16, mounted in releasable bearings.

On each arbor 16, is a brake drum 18, about which engages a releasableand adjustable brake band 19, the latter being adjustable by theadjusting device 20, so that the band 19, can be tightened or slackenedabout said drum, as the occasion may require. The uprights 13, arejoined through the medium of a cross rod 21, to prevent spreadingthereof and to add rigidity to the stand B.

J ournaled in the side sections 10, of the main frame A, in the topbeams 23, thereof are transversely arranged front and rear guide rollers24 and 25, respectively, over which are trained the paper strips 26 and27 of the paper rolls 14 and 15, respectively, while suitably journaledin the uprights 13, is a driving shaft 28, carrying a belt wheel 29, forconnection with any suitable power plant, the shaft 28, also beingfitted with a sprocket wheel 30, over which is trained an endlesssprocket chain 31, the same being also trained over a sprocket wheel 32,fast upon the journal of the front guide roll 24, so that motion will betransmitted thereto. A sprocket chain 33, is trained over sprocketwheels 34 and 35, on the journals of the respective guide rollers 24 and25, so that the same will rotate in unison.

Suspended from the upper tie rods 11, are forwardly inclined folders 36,over which pass the strips 26 and 27, for the primary folding of thesame, after being unwound from the rolls 14 and 15, respectively, thesefolders are supported by braces 37, suitably mounted in the main frameA, as shown in Figure 2, of the drawings.

In the side sections 10, of the main frame A, below the folders areopposed face plates or checks 38, the same being fastened in place inany suitable manner and in these plates are journaled the roll foldingand cutting mechanism, comprising upper pressor and feed rolls 39 and40, respectively, the presser roll 39, being carried upon a shaft 4,loosely journaled in said plates 38, and acted upon at each end byspring tensioned bearings 42, working in boxings or housings 43, formedon the respective plates 38, said springs being adjustable in theboxings or housings.

The feed roll 40, has formed therein longitudinally of the same a groove47, in which is adjustably held an angle knife 48.

The angle knife 48, cooperates with a saw blade knife 49, mounted in asuction or partially vacuum roll 50, which is located for wardly andslightly below the feed roll 40. and this roll 50, is journaled in gland51 and bearing 52, respectively, formed on the plates 38, while thejournal 44, of the feed roller 40, has mounted thereon at its inner enda beveled gear 45, meshing with a companion bevel gear 46, mounted onshaft 28, so that motion will be imparted from one gear to the other.

The roll 50, is of hollow formation toform a suction chamber 22, thereinand in its pe ripherial portion adjacent to the knife 49, are rows ofperforations 53, while the outer surface of said roll at this localityis provided With serrations 54, whereby the paper can be held morefirmly on the roll, when taken from the roll 40, under the action of thesuction through the perforations 53, so that said paper will be trainedabout the roll 50.

Below the rolls 40 and 50, are take-off and folding rolls 54 and 55,respectively, the roll 54, being journaled in the plates or cheeks 38whilev the roll 55, is journaled in an identical manner as the presserroll 39, herein before described. The take-off roll 54, is fitted with aspring tensioned wiper member 56, while ,the roll 55, is formed with aclearance channel 57, for the knife 49, during the rotation of therolls, in the folding and cutting operation of the mechanim.

Located beneath the rolls 54 and 55, are strippers 60, and 61,respectively, which are hung upon cross rods 62. and 63, as is clearlyshown in Figures 3 and 5, of the drawings. These strippers 60 and 61,have their upper stripper ends adjacent to the rolls 54 and to strip thefolded napkins therefrom, said strippers being spaced apart to provide away 65, for the passing of the napkins downwardly therethrough, whilethe strippers 60, at their lower ends are formed with hook like stops66, to bring the napkins to rest at this point, for a purpose presentlydescribed. Coupled at 67, with the packing gland 51. is a suction pipe68, which leads downwardly exteriorly of the main frame A, and isconnected as at 69, with the vacuum box or tank 12, the latter being incommunication at its bottom at 70, with a suction tube 71, leading froma suction fan not shown), so that sue t-ion will be maintained in thebox or tank 12, during the-operation of said fan.

Rising from the box or tank 12, is a vertical suction housing 72, forthe entrance ends of containers or receivers 73, in the form of troughsfor the folded napkins delivered from the machine in a manner presentlydescribed.

The troughs formed by the receivers or containers are detachably securedto the housing 72, as at 74, and are preferably made from sheet metal,the inner or entrance end of each trough beingformed with perforations75, communicating with the suction chambers 76, in the housing 72,

for effecting a suction action upon the napkins when initially admittedto the container or receiver.

On the inner face of the housing and extending slightly over theentrance ends of the troughs 7 3, are retainer members 77 which preventthe retrograde movement of napkins delivered into the containers orreceivers.

Formed on the vertical portion of the housing 72, beneath the entranceends of the troughs are pivots 78, for the hinge connection of rockerarms 79, carrying plungers 80, working through the entrance ends of thetroughs 7 3, to push the napkins thereinto, these plungers being movablebetween the stripper plates 60 and 61, to remove the folded napkins fromthe ways 65, and to advance them into the containers or receivers.

Each rocker arm 7 9, is fitted with a bear- Ice ing roller 81, adaptedto work on a cam 82, fast upon a rotating shaft 83, journaled inbrackets 84, on the box or tank 12, the shaft being fitted at one endwith a sprocket Wheel 85, over which is trained a sprocket chain 86, thesame also being trained over a sprocket wheel 87, mounted on a countershaft 88, journaled in the plates or cheeks 38, and this shaft is fittedwith a delivery roll 89, 'coacting with a presser roll 90, opposedthereto, for the advancing of the folded napkins in the ways 65, untilbrought to rest upon the stops 66, on the strippers to posit-ion thenapkins at the mouth or entrance to the trough.

Suitable gears are on the rolls 54, and 89, and mesh with gear 91, sothat these rolls will cooperate as a power train of gearing to transmitmotion through the chain 86, to the cam shaft 3, for operating theplungers 80, at the desired intervals of time, the roll 54:, being incutat 92, for a portion of its periphery to alternately take off thenapkins from the roll 50, and free said napkins subsequently to thefinal folding thereof, and advanced into the ways 65, of the strippersto be taken up by the delivery roll 89, and thereafter advanced by theplungers 80, into the containers or receivers.

When the plungcrs 80, advance the folded napkins into the entrance endsof the troughs the edges of the napkins entering ride over the retainermembers 77, as the napkins are springy, and are pushed into the troughsabout one-half inch, whereupon the inrushing air into the perforations75, snaps the sides of the napkins flat against the body or group ofnapkins already Within the troughs, and asthe plungers retrieve or arewithdrawn the mass of napkins in the troughs move against the retainermembers 77. and thus are held therein.

The suction accelerates the operation at the just mentioned point of themachine, since the springy characteristic of the paper would cause thenapkins to flatten out without the suction, but at a slow ratio of time.

It will be apparent that the strips of paper from the rolls 14 and 15,are firstfolded by the folders 36, and thereafter are acted upon by thesuction roll 50, coacting with roll 40, the once folded paper beingtrained about the roll 50, until whipped therefrom at the properinterval by the roll 54, which with the roll 55. folds the paper again,as the latter is cut off of the strip by the knives 48 and 49, therequired size, and thence the twice folded paper napkins are advancedinto the ways in the strippers 60 and 61, and thereafter pushed into thecontainers or receivers 73, for the massing of the folded paper napkinstherein.

The suction in the roll 50, causes the papers to stick thereto untilpulled off by a 2 ti;

the wipers 56, in the rolls 54, for the second and final folding of thenapkins.

In Figure 3, of the drawings there is shown to the right of the roll 40,a printing platen 93, which receives ink from inking rolls 94 and 95,these being supplied with printing ink from any suitable source ofsupply, and in the use of the printing device any desirable printing maybe effected on the product.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine of the character described, comprising a main frame havinga vacuum box in its lower portion, means for supporting and guidingpaper to the frame, a forwardly inclined folder in the frame for theprimary folding of the paper, coacting presser and feed rolls below thefolder, the feed roll being formed with a longitudinal groove, an angleknife in said groove a vacuum roll adjacent to the feed roll incommunication with the vacuum box and having perforations in a portionthereof, a saw blade knife next to the perforations in the vacuum roll,coacting take-off and folding rolls below the vacuum roll, a. wipermember carried by the take-off roll. strippers beneath the last namedrolls, and mechanism for transferring the folded sheets from thestrippers to a receiver.

2. A machine of the character described, comprising a main frame havinga vacuum box in its lower portion, a stand connected with the frame forsupporting a paper roll, guide means in the upper portion of the frame,for the paper from the roll, a forwardly inclined folder in the framefor the primary folding of the strip trained over the guide means fromthe paper roll, coacting presser and feed rolls below the folder, thefeed roll being formed with a longitudinal groove, an angle knife insaid groove, a vacuum roll adjacent to the feed roll and havingperforations in a portion thereof, a saw blade knife next to theperforations in the vacuum roll, coacting take-off and folding rollsbelow the vacuum roll, a wiper member carried by the take-off roll,strippers beneath the last named rolls, mechanism for transferring thefolded sheets from the strippers to a receiver, and means for creating avacuum in the vacuum roll and connected with the vacuum box.

3. A machine of the character described, comprising a main frame, afolder in the upper portion of the frame for initially folding productof paper, roll mechanism beneath said folder for again folding andcutting the product into predetermined size, strippers coacting withsaid mechanism and having a way for the severed and folded product, areceiver for the folded product. and mechanism for taking the severedfolded product from the way and delivering same successively into thereceiver.

4. A machine of the character described, comprising a folder forinitially folding a roduct of paper, roll mechanism beneath said foldingfor again folding and cutting the product into predetermined size,strippers coactingwith said mechanism and having a way for the severedand folded product, a receiver for the folded product, mecha-.

nism for taking the severed and folded product from the way anddelivering same successively into the receiver, and mechanism fordirecting a product of paper to the folder.

5. A machine of the character described, comprising a main frame, afolder in the upper portion thereof for initially folding strips ofpaper, roll mechanism beneath said folder for again folding and cuttingthe strips into predetermined size, strippers coacting with saidmechanism and having a way for the severed and folded strips, a receiverfor the folded strips, mechanism .for taking the severed folded stripsfrom the way and delivering same successively into the receiver,mechanism for directing a strip of paper to the folder, and means foreffect- I ing a suction in one of the rolls of theroll mechanism.

6. A machine of the character described, comprising a main frame, afolder in the upper portion thereof, for initially folding strips ofpaper, roll mechanism beneath said folder for again folding and cuttingthe strips into predetermined size, strippers coacting with saidmechanism and having a retainers in the receiver at the entrance endthereof to prevent retrograde movement of the folded strips whendelivered thereto.

7. A machine of the character described, comprising a main frame, afolder in the upper portion thereof for initially folding strips ofpaper, roll mechanism beneath said folder for again folding and cuttingthe strips into predetermined size, strippers coacting with saidmechanism and having a way for the severed folded strips, a receiver forthe folded strips, mechanism for taking the severed folded strips fromthe way and delivering same into the receiver, mechanism for directing astrip of paper to the folder, means for effecting a suction in one ofthe rolls of said roll mechanism, retainers in the receiver at theentrance end thereof to prevent retrogade movement of the folded stripswhen delivered thereto, and means for creating an inrush of air in theentrance end of the receiver to mass the folded strips delivered thereintogether.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures.

GLENN A. SHAFFER. FRANKLIN H. WIRTZ.

